Buying a Tacoma with a brake controller.

Hi all, new to the forum but hopefully will be around for a long time.

I'm going to look at a 2012 DCLB TRD sport this weekend. The truck as 56k miles on it, but it has a brake controller installed from the previous owner and I don't think the truck has the factory tow package. Should I be worried the truck might have some transmission issues, seeing that it was used to tow something?

 

If it's a TRD Sport, the tow package should be factory. Why would you be worried about the tranny having issues because it was used to tow?

 

I guess I'm assuming if the previous owner had a brake controller he was pulling something pretty heavy, I live in a pretty mountainous region too. But like I said, new to Tacomas so I'm not really too sure what they can take.

 

The controller is nothing to worry about. I have one simply because I tow a pop up or quads in the mountains.

 

The sport package includes the tow package, which adds a transmission cooler. Transmission cooler helps prevent dead transmission.

The controller doesn't necessarily connect with transmission abuse. Basically it means nothing.

 

It means that he towed or was planning to tow something heavy. Make sure that it has factory tow package and ask previous owner what he towed and how many miles. Get an option list from the vin to verify factory tow. Tow pkg is separate option but high percentage of certain models will have them. It is also regional. I looked at several Bajas in KC and none had tow while all in Tx did. Also heard that factory tow pkgs were harder to find in upper MW.

 

It actually means whatever they towed (camper, flatbed) had electric breaks and that controller told whatever they towed when the brake was used!

 

My 06 Sport & 13 Baja both came with a tow Pkg.

 

I'd be worried if you knew he towed without a brake controller. The controller takes some of the braking duty off the tow vehicle. How much? Found out coming out of Sequoia Natl Park several years ago. Guess the plug connecting the trailer to my hitch connector hadn't seated well. 4000 pound trailer practically pushed us off the road. Needless to say I now check this at every stop. The fact that he had this means he takes towing seriously and had concern for his tow vehicle.

 

I thought the sports didnt come with a tow package. I bet it doenst have teh transmission cooler either.
I wont be worried too much about the brake controller. I would be questioning towing big load on high speed without the transmission cooler.

 

I have personally never seen a Sport that didn't have the factory tow package.

 

it is a separate option so it is possible for it to not have it

 

Good point, I'll check to make sure it had the tow package.